Last month I encouraged us all to experiment with a variety of serving opportunities here at NPC as we seek to learn in what area God may be moving us to serve. The discovery, development and deployment of our gifts is a process. We may hit on a good fit for us right away, or we may have to try a few ministries out before we feel it is the right one. After each opportunity, we should ask ourselves these questions from Bill Hybels’ book, "The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody".

• Did the work feel meaningful?

This is a purely subjective question, but an important one. We may find we enjoy a ministry because it is task oriented and we like behind the scenes type of work. We may enjoy a ministry because it is people oriented and we want to relate with those involved. We may enjoy a ministry because we relate to the goal or to the people it helps.

• Was our emotional energy higher or lower after we served?

Did the serving opportunity energize us or drain us? Sometimes we can feel exhausted physically from serving but still feel deeply gratified. If a ministry is too emotionally draining to us, we might want to try something else.

• Did we enjoy serving with the rest of the team?

Don’t feel guilty about asking this question. We are usually in relationship while we serve, so we should feel comfortable and compatible with the others on the team. Even though we may identify with the vision of the ministry, how we relate to others on the team should also be considered. Sometimes people want to serve in a ministry just because of those they serve with.

• Did the time frame for serving fit our schedule?

No matter what we may answer in the first three questions, if it doesn’t fit realistically in our schedule or with our other obligations, we’ll never be able to make a full commitment.

As we evaluate the answers to these questions and continue to experiment, we should ask God to help us clarify our calling, gifts and passion. Our first try may be a perfect fit or we may discover that one dimension of the ministry feels great while another doesn’t. We should use what we learn to try out other opportunities. I echo what Bill Hybel says, “Whether your experiment puts you on the fast track to an ideal serving destination or begins a slow process of self-discovery, you will have embarked on the journey you were made for.”

Adapted from "The Volunteer Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Everybody" by Bill Hybels. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2004.